Seventeenth+Welsh+4

=__The 17th Amendment__= ==

The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State, elected by the people thereof, for six years; and each Senator shall have one vote. The electors in each State shall have the qualifications requisite for electors of the most numerous branch of the State legislatures.

When vacancies happen in the representation of any State in the Senate, the executive authority of such State shall issue writs of election to fill such vacancies: Provided, that the legislature of any State may empower the executive thereof to make temporary appointments until the people fill the vacancies by election as the legislature may direct.

This amendment shall not be so construed as to affect the election or term of any Senator chosen before it becomes valid as part of the Constitution.(This part was discarded from the amendment.)



What does the amendment mean?
This amendment protects and outlines the election and terms of the Senators.

**Why was it put into place?**
It was put into place because the old way wasn't fair. In the old way the governor would choose the Senator. So the Senators tried to bribe the governor to make him pick them. It was unfair so they figured that they should let the people vote instead.

Before the amendment was passed, how did we choose our senators?
The State Legislatures chose the senators.

When was it ratified?
It was ratified on April 8th, 1913.

What is a Senator?
A member of the Senate (The upper house of the U.S. Congress, which two members are elected from each state by the people's vote for a six-year term). They are part of the legislative branch. Also they are like law-makers.

Who are the senators of New York?


//**--The Senators of New York are Hillary Clinton(Top) and Chuck Schumer(Bottom)**//

**Is it still valid today?**
Yes this amendment is still valid today, but the third part is not valid anymore.

**Why was the third part of this amendment taken out?**
The third part of the amendment, known as the Exception, was taken out because the government thought it would be more fair if Senators were just be elected by the people. It wasn't fair when the governor chose the Senator, because the state legislatures (senators) bribed the governor.

**What does the amendment do?**
This amendment provides that Senators are directly elected by the people of each state.

**What issues does it apply to today?**
The issues that apply to the seventeenth amendment are the elections for the Senators. Or when a vacant seat occurs the people have the right to vote for another Senator to take the seat.

**How is the amendment helpful?**
There isn't false representation of the votes. The Senator that wins the election actually wins because the people vote for who they want as their Senator. Nobody can rig the vote, such as the governor in the old system.

What influenced the 17th amendment?
Political bosses and other important businessmen and politicians bought the votes of the state legislatures (senators). Or even some people bullied them to control who became a Senator.

= = =Current Events relating to the 17th Amendment:=
 * __Senator Warner Will Not Seek Re-election__
 * http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/31/washington/31cnd-warner.html?_r=1&oref=slogin [[image:http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2007/08/31/us/31cnd-warner2.190.jpg width="190" height="126" align="right" caption="Senator Warner" link="javascript:pop_me_up2('http://www.nytimes.com/imagepages/2007/08/31/us/31cnd-warner2.html', '31cnd_warner2', 'width=720,height=600,scrollbars=yes,toolbars=no,resizable=yes')"]]
 * A summary of this article: Mr. Warner (senator) has made the decision of not seeking re-election because he felt that he was too old. He was 80 years of age and didn't think it was fair to Virginia. He had a critical voice on the war in Iraq. He has been at the center of most military and national society debates for years. He was first elected in 1978 and decided in August that it was too much to serve for another term.
 * Why does this article relate to the 17th amendment?: "Senator Warner Will Not Seek Re-election" relates to the 17th amendment because Mr. Warner(senator) has served 5 terms and he was re-elected each term because of the people. He is giving up his seat, for another Senator to take at the end of his term, the people will elect the new Senator for Mr. Warner's spot in Congress.
 * By Alyssa


 * __Senate Extends Immigration Debate__
 * http://www.bbc.co.uk/caribbean/news/story/2007/05/070521_immigrationus.shtml__
 * A summary of this article: The senate is now extending the great debate for immigration. The senate has extended this debate till June. The senate wants to close or pass the bill before the new election of 08 interferes with the passing or closing of this important bill. Under the proposed bill, the illegal immigrants can get a "Z visa" after paying a $ 5,000 fine. This would let them be put on a path to residency that could eventually happen after a few years from when they pay their fine.
 * Why does this article relate to the 17th amendment? The senate ,who is determined through the 17th amendment, is trying to pass a new bill about immigration. The senate and the soon not to be president, are working together to try to pass this bill.
 * By Alex


 * __Zell Milleris: Dump 17th Amendment__
 * Maverick Democrat wants to go back to legislatures appointing U.S. senators
 * http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=38251
 * Summary: Zell Milleris trying to dump the 17 amendment he said that he will rather empower state legislatures to appoint senators rather than be elected by voters. Zell Miller, who has garnered attention over the years and was a critique of his democratic party. He believes that if the 17 amendment was gone that will curb the power of special interest in Washington when increasing the power of the state government. Zell Miller contended the Constitution's prescription for balancing the interest of large and small states and the power of the states too. Federal government was destroyed, when the U.S. ratified the 17th amendment in 1913.
 * Why is this article relate to the 17th amendment? Zell Miller does not want the 17th amendment, that relates to the amendment because the 17th amendment is about senators being voted by people, but Zell miller does not want people voting. That is how is relates to the amendment.
 * By Leo


 * __John MacMullin: Repeal the 17th Amendment__
 * http://www.articlev.com/repeal_the_17th_amendment.htm
 * Summary: John Macmullen says that if the 17th amendment was repealed, the government would be easier by raising the presidential status of state legislatures, power will be evenly distributed easier, and more. The 17th amendment was ratified 1913 to try and stop legislatures from bribing, bullying, etc. for a placement in office but some people think that this amendment should have never been done. It would also give the state legislatures direct influence over the selection of federal judges and an even greater power to modify the power of the federal judiciary.
 * Why is the article relate to the 17th amendment? This article relates to amendment 17 by speaking about how some people think that this amendment was bad news from the start and they want to repeal it. The article talks about others opinions of repealing this amendment.
 * By Elyse